GRAND HAVEN, MI – Tragedy was averted around 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, off Grand Haven's South Pier after a wave washed a 4-year-old girl into Lake Michigan.

The child's mother jumped in the water to rescue her, according to the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. Bystanders threw the mother a life ring and pulled both her and her daughter back to the pier.

The child was not wearing a life jacket.

There were no injuries, and no medical treatment was needed.

John S. Hausman covers courts, prisons, the environment and local government for MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at jhausman@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter.